Golden Retriever

A Friendly Sweetheart

Devoted, playful, companionate

Golden Retrievers are eager to please, intelligent, and good-natured large dogs. Goldens are great with children and other pets, but have a tendency to bark or howl when excited or faced with the unfamiliar. Because Goldens are playful dogs that learn quickly, they make great family pets. They are ideal companions for suburban families and those who enjoy sports, hunting, and the outdoors. Daily exercise is important for these energetic retrievers to stay happy and healthy, so they should play fetch or go for a run every day.

Understanding their unique needs will help keep them healthy and create a strong bond between the two of you. Explore this page to learn more about the breed’s history, health concerns, characteristics, and care needs.

Ease of training

Affection toward owners

Friendliness toward strangers

Grooming: They need a thorough brushing at least weekly most of the year. Twice a
year they blow their coat and lose crazy amounts of hair; daily brushing is
recommended during this time.

Dental: Golden Retrievers generally have good teeth, and you can keep
them perfect by brushing them at least twice a week!

Ear Care: Clean their ears weekly, even as a puppy. Don’t worry—your veterinarian
can show you how!

Routine Care: The Golden Retriever is a smart dog with lots of energy, so keep their mind and body active,
or they'll get bored. That's when the naughty stuff starts. They excel at dog sports like flyball, agility, dock diving, and obedience. They have a passion for water, and swimming is a perfect form of exercise
for this water retriever.

The Golden Retriever is a joyful playmate or a reliable shoulder to lean on, and is often referred to as America’s sweetheart.

Positive Traits:

Even-tempered, affectionate, and happy-go-lucky

Good with kids and other pets

Large, strong, and athletic

Above average intelligence and trainability when positive reinforcement training methods are used

Loves to play games, especially fetch

People-oriented and eager to please

Negative Traits:

Sheds quite a bit

Can be rambunctious and rowdy, especially as a younger dog

Needs a lot of activity and mental stimulation to avoid boredom vices

Is a bit “mouthy”—likes to carry and chew things

Has a tendency to bark or howl when excited or faced with the unfamiliar

Prone to a number of health problems

Whether you are considering adding a new Golden Retriever to your family or you
already have one as a companion, it is important for you to know about the genetically
linked diseases known to occur more often in this breed. Of course not every Golden
Retriever will have these problems, but research shows your pal is more at risk than
other breeds.

By exploring the health concerns specific to the Golden Retriever, you will
become a knowledgeable and confident pet parent. Be sure to speak with your
veterinarian about breed risks every time you visit and educate yourself on the most
important signs to watch for at home. They are counting on you to be their health
expert.

Golden Retrievers were developed in the early 1800s in Scotland as hunting dogs. Although they are still used for hunting, Goldens excel at many other activities including search and rescue and guide work. They do require ample exercise and swimming can be a great outlet for their endless energy. Their beautiful coat requires brushing and in some climates, a summer trim may be in order. They are intelligent, understanding, and eager to please their family. The Golden Retriever is a generally healthy breed with an average lifespan of 10-15 years.

Consult with a veterinarian if your Golden Retriever shows signs of the following:

Care

Grooming: They need a thorough brushing at least weekly most of the year. Twice a
year they blow their coat and lose crazy amounts of hair; daily brushing is
recommended during this time.

Dental: Golden Retrievers generally have good teeth, and you can keep
them perfect by brushing them at least twice a week!

Ear Care: Clean their ears weekly, even as a puppy. Don’t worry—your veterinarian
can show you how!

Routine Care: The Golden Retriever is a smart dog with lots of energy, so keep their mind and body active,
or they'll get bored. That's when the naughty stuff starts. They excel at dog sports like flyball, agility, dock diving, and obedience. They have a passion for water, and swimming is a perfect form of exercise
for this water retriever.

Characteristics

The Golden Retriever is a joyful playmate or a reliable shoulder to lean on, and is often referred to as America’s sweetheart.

Positive Traits:

Even-tempered, affectionate, and happy-go-lucky

Good with kids and other pets

Large, strong, and athletic

Above average intelligence and trainability when positive reinforcement training methods are used

Loves to play games, especially fetch

People-oriented and eager to please

Negative Traits:

Sheds quite a bit

Can be rambunctious and rowdy, especially as a younger dog

Needs a lot of activity and mental stimulation to avoid boredom vices

Is a bit “mouthy”—likes to carry and chew things

Has a tendency to bark or howl when excited or faced with the unfamiliar

Prone to a number of health problems

Health Concerns

Whether you are considering adding a new Golden Retriever to your family or you
already have one as a companion, it is important for you to know about the genetically
linked diseases known to occur more often in this breed. Of course not every Golden
Retriever will have these problems, but research shows your pal is more at risk than
other breeds.

By exploring the health concerns specific to the Golden Retriever, you will
become a knowledgeable and confident pet parent. Be sure to speak with your
veterinarian about breed risks every time you visit and educate yourself on the most
important signs to watch for at home. They are counting on you to be their health
expert.

History

Golden Retrievers were developed in the early 1800s in Scotland as hunting dogs. Although they are still used for hunting, Goldens excel at many other activities including search and rescue and guide work. They do require ample exercise and swimming can be a great outlet for their endless energy. Their beautiful coat requires brushing and in some climates, a summer trim may be in order. They are intelligent, understanding, and eager to please their family. The Golden Retriever is a generally healthy breed with an average lifespan of 10-15 years.

Watch Out For

Consult with a veterinarian if your Golden Retriever shows signs of the following:

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